Will my baby ever have a nap routine that lasts longer than 6 weeks?!?

[TheDivineMrsM]

My DD is six months old, and every six weeks, I feel like I have to re-learn her daily routine.

From 4.5 months to now, we had a lovely one that included two hour-long naps a day and two solid meals. I BF on demand in between. DD was happy and fun and well-rested. I even managed to do things around the house. It was glorious. The ped suggested three meals, and then DD cut two teeth. Not sure if those two events are related to her nap routine imploding, but the past week has been awful. We stopped "lunch" and put the BFing session back, with the thought that she couldn't digest all that solid food yet. Didn't help. Nothing else has changed. 

What can I do to help my DD sleep better during the day?

[HeatherB]

I've always thought that babies routines change just as soon as you get used to one! I certainly had that feeling with my first, who was fairly high needs.

Some things that sometimes help...

- swaddling (even at 6 months, it could help reduce stimulation for naps)
- sleeping with baby (my 6 month old sleeps MUCH longer if I nap with her and nurse her when she wakes)
- wearing baby (even if it only helps her fall asleep and you then lay her down)
- sleeping on tummy (again, my DD sleeps much longer on her tummy and always has)
- time (give it time to work out)

If the extra food has been the cause of her sleep issues, then it may take some time to sort out. Have her stooling habits or texture changed? Is there other evidence that she's not handling solids well? She's definitely on the young side for solids and at this point they're really best viewed as "fun" and "exploration" rather than nutrition. Remember, too, that solids should not replace breastfeeding at this point. Perhaps nursing, then offering a few bites of solids (as much as she wants) would help ensure she's getting the best nutrition (your breastmilk) and then only as much of the solids as she wants.

Good luck!
HeatherB